Earlier this year Atglen Public Library was awarded an Excellent and Equitable Youth Services grant through a competitive process with the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries. The $5000 award provided professional development training using a Community of Practice model and funds to purchase library materials for youth collections.
During community of practice sessions, the awardees explored the Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass Doors approach to children's literature: that children should see themselves reflected in stories they read, see the lived experiences of others, and enter the story and become part of that world. All children need access to all of these reading experiences in order to build their identity and nurture compassion for others. The community of practice also discussed award-winning titles for children and youth.
APL recently developed our selection lists and purchased 44 picture books, 8 volumes of children's nonfiction, 29 Vox and Wonder interactive read-along books, 51 e-books and 15 e-audio books. The picture books were selected from the last four years of the Baker’s Dozen awards from the Pennsylvania Center for the Book and Penn State University Libraries.
Vox and Wonder books are interactive read-aloud books that come with their own rechargeable audio player. Readers can read the book themselves, listen to it, or follow along to the audio. We have fourteen books from the Magic Treehouse series and 15 books from a variety of reading levels.
The e-books, accessible on the Chester County Library System Libby by Overdrive platform, includes popular children's and teen titles in addition to required reading in the Octorara Area School District. Students are able to access these books remotely with their school-issued device, not needing a trip to the library to borrow the book. An important goal of the grant was to provide access to materials to youth who may need them for required reading for advanced classes or who may not be able to visit the library during our open hours. There are fun and requested books as well.
We are grateful to the Bureau of Library Development of the Office of Commonwealth Libraries for facilitating this Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
